Let the penalty fix the “crime”

Here we go again... A month after the Board of Ordained Ministry in Pennsylvania stripped Rev. Frank Schaefer of his ordination credentials for officiating at his son's wedding and refusing to state he would follow the entirety of the Book of Discipline in the future, the United Methodist Church is back at it again. The…

Embodiment and Authenticity (Talking Taboo)

Over a year ago, I wrote an essay for an amazing compilation, Talking Taboo: American Christian Women Get Frank About Faith (Erin Lane & Enuma Okoro, eds), which officially launches today. I'm overjoyed to be included in this book, a huge collaborative effort, and looking at the other authors I'm humbled and a little confused…

Diary of a Delegate: Days Four and Five- Let me be full, let me be empty

When Bishop Weaver gave his episcopal address a few days ago, he concluded by inviting us to share in the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, which contains the phrase "let me be full; let me be empty..." The past two days have been both full and empty.You'll note that I don't distinguish between the two days or…

Love, Norms, and Heterosexual Priveledge

I don't think it's any big secret that I am an enormous fan of the Fox show "Glee." While the show contains much that is campy, cheesy, and cartooney, it also has several wonderful factors, which I early on decided were 1. Sue Sylvester (such incredibly snarky, wonderful, sarcastic writing), 2. Will Schuester (a character…

Risky Business

Ministry is a wonderful vocation, a calling, a journey. It is also a job, and it has occupational hazards that are pretty well known. Stress and overeating, and caffeine addiction, perhaps. But there are some pretty obvious risks associated with being accessible to the public and trying to help those on the edge. We hear…

On the murder of Dr. Tiller

I doubt any of my blog readers are waiting with baited breath to see what my opinion is on the murder-- in his church-- of Dr. Tiller, a medical professional who provided late-term abortions. I'm betting you probably know what I'm going to say. But just in case you want my theological and pastoral opinion.…

Pastors and Sexual Advice

I tried to go without commenting on this, but found that I couldn't resist. And yes, that means I run the risk of doing the very thing I'm advising against. Generally, I think it's not a good idea for pastors to get involved in giving sexual advice, certainly not to large crowds at a time.…

Keith Olbermann on Proposition 8

Because I love this man, even when he foams at the mouth. Here, he doesn't, but his confusion and heartbreak are no less palpable.

(Stained) Glass Ceilings

Sarah Palin, eat your heart out; I'm shattering a glass ceiling or two on my own 'round here. My little congregation in Plainfield has had several women-- young women, even-- as pastors before, but at the larger church in Montpelier, I am the first woman and the youngest person to sit behind the pastor's desk.…